So here I am waiting for my errant husband with my insides tied up in knots. True to her word Simone has taken charge of Harry for the night, and I have primped and preened myself into the hottest version of myself that I can get. Nervously I fiddle with my hands as I wait for the dreaded hour.
Mr Tumnus starts growling as we hear the car pulling up in the drive. Steeling myself for the impending confrontation, I down the glass of red wine in front of me for Dutch courage.
Before he can even get the key in the lock, I fling it open and look at him with a hard expression.
He looks at me in shock which then softens as he sees me standing there.
‘Sophie darling, how are you feeling?’
He makes to push past me but I stand my ground.
‘Not tonight Lysander, you will find your bags are already packed and waiting for you by the bins. Sorry, I couldn't get in the loft to get the suitcases, but I couldn’t be bothered. Now Harry is at a friend's house, and I am on my way out. Anything you have to say please put in an e-mail in future. You can call Harry, but any further dealings with me must be conducted through my solicitor, who will be in touch.’
As I go to close the door, he puts his foot in the way blocking it and looks at me in complete and utter shock.
‘Sophie this isn't like you. We need to discuss this.’
I raise my eyes. ‘There's nothing to discuss. You want to leave so leave. I am not interested in the details and am only concerned with my son. Like I said the best way we can sort this out is amicably via e-mail as far as I'm concerned. You've made your decision so there's not much point in dragging it out.’
I watch as his eyes narrow and that vein in his neck starts twitching which it does when he gets angry.
He splutters, ‘You bitch. What gives you the right to throw me out like a bag of rubbish? It's no wonder I fell in love with someone else, living with a cold bitch like you. You don't get to tell me what's happening I tell you. I pay the bills in this house, and you had better treat me with the respect I deserve if you want to come out of this with anything. I will go because I can't bear to look at you a moment longer. If it's a fight you want, then bring it on.’
He removes his foot and I slam the door, my heart thumping in my chest. Quickly I lock the door and then back away from it and sit down on the stairs.
In my mind, all I can see is his furious face. He didn't like the fact that I was taking control in the slightest, and even though he is the one in the wrong, I can see that I have a battle on my hands.
I can't stop shaking, and I can feel the tears welling up inside. I push them down. I will be strong. He is the one who has brought all of this about not me, and if he doesn't like it, then he only has himself to blame.
As if on auto pilot I run a bath. I go through the motions of getting ready for bed and am soon wrapped up in my pyjamas, with Mr Tumnus on my knee in front of the television. I am quite annoyed that I didn't have the required tub of ice cream in stock. I actually don't know what to do next and am starting to regret listening to Simone already.
She has always been the same. She lives out her life as if it was one of the stories in the trashy novels she reads. But this isn't fiction it's fact, and I am going to have to make the best of it for both mine and Harry's sake. One thing I am dreading the most, though, is telling him that his daddy will be living somewhere else in future.
I must have fallen asleep where I sat because I wake up the next morning feeling extremely disorientated. There is a wet patch on my knee where Mr Tumnus must have dribbled in the night. I wake up and see his little furry face looking at me with total adoration, and I pull him close to me and kiss him, the tears finally spilling down my cheeks, as I contemplate my new life. He wags his tail and then jumps off barking as the doorbell rings.
As I look over at the clock, I can see that it is past 9 am already. Racing over I fling the door open, and Simone breezes in armed with several shopping bags.
‘Morning Sophie, at least it looks as if you managed to get some sleep. Harry and Edward are safely at school, and today my darling is the first day of the rest of your life.’
I look at her in shock and she smiles at me.
‘I've got some shopping in. Loads of banned sugar foods and alcohol. Today is all about over-indulgence, and tomorrow is about getting what you deserve. Now run up and get ready, while I make us a fry up, and then we will talk about our options.’
In a daze, I leave her to it. Typical Simone. She always takes charge, and it is what I love about her the most. No problem is ever too great for her, and I am sure that she will get me through this.
By the time I get downstairs she is hoovering and I see a lovely bunch of lilies dominating the table.
Looking up she grins.
‘Right then, breakfast is ready. Sit down and I'll tell you where we're at.’
Over the bacon and eggs, Simone tells me what she spent the evening doing. Apparently, she called her sister who has promised to speak to her friend. She has also gone online and printed out sheets and sheets of papers for me on divorce and the do's and don'ts of it all. My homework is to read through them all before the meeting with the solicitor.
The rest of the morning is spent watching DVDs about cheating men to raise my spirits. Where would we be without our friends?